Garden Spurge Euphorbia hypericifolia
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Garden Spurge:
Previously known as:
- Chamaesyce glomerifera
- Euphorbia bifida
- Euphorbia glomerifera
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoo-FOR-bee-uh hy-PER-ee-see-FOH-lee-uh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Graceful Spurge is a perennial branched herb, spreading to erect, growing up to 2 feet high. It is native to the tropical Americas and as with most euphorbias, contains a milky sap that is a skin and eye irritant, so wear gloves and eye protection when handling this plant. In NC it can be grown as an annual or brought inside for winter. The flowers themselves are insignificant but are they surrounded by showy white bracts. There is no deadheading needed and it will bloom all season long.
Plant in light well-drained soils in full sun to partial shade. It is deer, heat, and drought tolerant. Use this plant in a border front, rock gardens, containers, and hanging pots. If bringing this plant inside for the winter, cut it back and place it in a sunny window.
VIDEO Created by Elisabeth Meyer for "Houseplants, Succulents, and Cacti", a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Breathless™ Series, 'Inneuphe' DIAMOND FROST, 'Silverfog'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
- Breathless™ Series, 'Inneuphe' DIAMOND FROST, 'Silverfog'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Euphorbia
- Species:
- hypericifolia
- Family:
- Euphorbiaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Used in herbal medicine
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Tropical and subtropical Americas
- Distribution:
- AL , AZ , CA , FL , GA , LA , MD , NM , SC , TX
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 8 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Purple/Lavender
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Fruit is a 3-lobed capsule, slightly wrinkled, greyish purple with 3 seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- Bracts
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Clustered heads contain 1 female flower surrounded by many male flowers that are insignificant but are surrounded by showy white bracts. Blooms the season long.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- Leaves opposite, simple, hairy margins, blade elliptical-oblong to oblong, up to 1.5 inches long, base cuneate, asymmetric, apex obtuse, margin obscurely toothed.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Hanging Baskets
- Patio
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Dry Soil
- Heat
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- The milky white latex sap found in all plant parts can cause mild to severe contact dermatitis. If contact with the eyes occurs the sap can cause temporary to permanent damage to the cornea. If eaten, blistering can occur on lips and oral mucosa. Avoid ingesting plant parts and keep plants away from pets and children.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Diterpene esters in milky latex
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- Yes
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Sap/Juice
- Stems
